Thanksgiving, 1988: Anybody Remember THIS?

Time travel back with me to a mall in 1988 so we can Black Friday shop for VCR's and NINTENDO games 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uMLwxkQHUN

— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) November 25, 2025

Really Big News From The Cherry Hill Mall!

VIDEO: Looking For 'Hate' In Cherry Hill . . .

The Cherry Hill schools are heavily promoting a "No Place for Hate" campaign in which students are inculcated with the notion that they must be on the lookout for hatred and prejudice and stamp it our wherever and whenever they encounter it because hatred is apparently a big problem in the community. But is it? Really? We talk a walk down Cherry Hill's "Main Street" -- the iconic Cherry Hill Mall -- to find out exactly where the hatred is and who's purveying. Here's what we found . . .

Cherry Hill Mall: A Surprising, Thriving Survivor?

Somebody posted on social media recently about how South Jersey's famed Cherry Hill Mall is not what it used to be. And, we suppose it is comforting in some ways to look back on what was and cast it in a nostalgic glow.

But what is what it used to be? The answer is obvious: hardly anything!  Certainly commerce and retailing are not what they used to be. They change to meet the demands of a constantly evolving customer base.

The Cherry Hill Mall is more than 60 years old. In some ways it's a miracle that it's even still functioning, let alone thriving. To stay competitive nowadays the mall must maximize the income it gets from every available bit of space while staying up to date and competitive. It costs a fortune just to open the doors and turn the lights on. And retailing giants like the mall were hard hit by the devastating Covid lockdown.

Over many decades, the mall has witnessed monumental change and upheaval.  It would not have survived if it did not adapt. The mall's main anchor store, the legendary Strawbridge's department store went out of business years ago. Fortunately, it was replaced by a top-of-the-line retailer, Nordstrom and enclosed, indoor parking was added. At the same time the mall underwent an expansion and multi-million dollar redo. That was a huge investment!

While other malls have become morgues or been demolished altogether, the Cherry Hill Mall is still nearly 100% occupied with first class merchants like Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors, Apple, Hugo Boss, Macy's, Abercrombie, Starbucks, JC Penney, Warby Parker, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Lulu Lemon and Urban Outfitters, not to mention restaurants like Capital Grill, Seasons 52 and Eddie V's. So, the mall remains an attractive indoor shopping and dining experience. And, in fact a new Sushi spot (Kooma) is on the way.

Be thankful the mall is still there. Patronize it!

Once Upon A Time . . . In Cherry Hill . . .

What The Hell Happened To Haddonfield Road?

In the days when a million dollars really meant something, they called it the Million Dollar Mile. Indeed, that portion of Haddonfield Road extending from the Haddonfield border to the Pennsauken border was once dotted with high end eateries, night clubs, big time gambling at the Garden State Park thoroughbred race track and, of course, the newly-christening, enclosed tropical environment of the Cherry Hill Mall. Boasting Sans Souci, The Greenbrier, Cinelli's, Henry's, the Cherry Hill Inn's Starlight Room and other late night haunts the area served as South Jersey's own glamour gulch.

Except for the mall, all of the gleaming attractions that lined this backbone of Cherry Hill's Golden Triangle are gone now. Once the race track closed the whole character of the road was destined to change. The only question was how it would change. And that all depended on what replaced the race track. We were told that Cherry Hill would finally get the town center it never had -- a sort of downtown or Main Street with intimate shopping dining, cultural attractions and a walkable, especially desirable living environment. What we got was more of the same runaway commercial development that has proved less of a blessing (i.e. retables) and more of a curse (congestion and traffic). Today, Haddonfield Road is a cacophonous, car-clogged calamity fed by so many ingresses and egresses that at times you can hardly figure out where you are or where you're going. 

And along the road itself tear downs have paved the way for fast food outlets, strip stores, quick casual eateries, bank drive throughs, hairdressers, nail salons, car washes, a vape shop and not one but two super Wawas. In the middle of the road you'll now find the notorious suicide lane where vehicles are invited to try their luck making a left turn from either direction. Go ahead, take a chance. Just hope there's not a car coming at you from the opposite direction in which case this is a prescription for a head-on collision. And beware, because this road obviously attracts  many drivers from out of state who have no idea how to maneuver this uniquely perilous engineering nightmare. 

Of course, the stretch alongside Garden State Park's Marketplace presents its own set of challenges as there is too much access in and out of some parts of this burgeoning monstrosity and not enough access in and out of others. For example, the area around Wegman's is a constant bottleneck because entree from Haddonfield Road is severely limited. Another tie-up occurs in the area across from the newest super Wawa and this will only get worse when the road alongside the Cheesecake Factory is continued clear through to Garden State Boulevard past new apartments, a proposed hotel and into the area surrounding the massive Costco complex. Further down Haddonfield Road at Garden Park Boulevard a heretofore residential area has been outrageously compromised by connector roads now dumping shopping traffic onto once quiet streets fronting apartments and condos. Within this area a traffic circle (remember traffic circles?!) manages to confuse everybody since drivers have never learned (or long forgotten) that traffic entering the circle must yield to traffic in the roundabout. 

And the problems are not limited to the Garden State Park area. The light at Chapel Avenue is exasperating and in need of smarter synchronization particularly to accommodate left turns. Opposite the mall, traffic routinely backs up as cars jockey for positions to get in or out of the popular Chick-fil-A which now has multiple super drive thru lanes. Again, in front of the second Wawa on Haddonfield Road traffic ties up with people trying to turn left into the gas/convenience behemoth or make their way out. And did we mention that both Wawa facilities abut residential areas where the natives are definately not happy campers?

Folks, this whole area is White Knuckle Alley!

Is it any wonder that as Haddonfield Road approaches Haddonfield proper its name changes to the more genteel-sounding Grove Street? Wisely, Haddonfield wants no part of this dastardly strip.

A Youthful Zest For Business Success!

Take a dollop of youthful optimism, mix in hardscrabble determination, boundless energy and a breathless commitment to hard work and you have the makings of a inspiring success story right in your own backyard,  No, it's not happening in someone's basement or rec room or garage or even in a storefront. It's happening within the closely proscribe confines of one of those aisle carts that you see at your local shopping mall.

That's where I found Donavin Ruggiero and Michael Johnson, two enterprising young guys who will introduce you to Quick Care shoe cleaning products. Quick Care is like a shampoo and conditioner for your footwear -- and that applies to all footwear of any type, material or texture including everything from sneakers to casual footwear to fine leather shoes. And here's the thing: this product cleans your footwear spotlessly and dries instantly. And the best part is that Donavin and his team will demonstrate the product right on the spot for you. So you can get your shoes or sneakers cleaned right there, and, if you like it take home a cleaning kit for yourself. But there's absolutely no obligation!

And, by the way: don't think in terms of mere show polish. This product is way beyond that -- it's actually light years ahead.

If you're in the Cherry Hill Mall area stop by to see these guys. They work hard and are committed to their product and its success. In fact, Donavin tells me he routinely puts in 10 to 12 hour days and works 55 hours a week or more. His stamina and enthusiasm impressed me from the start. And Michael is equally propelled by a strong work ethic. Plus, these two guys are two of the friendliest young people you'll ever meet -- engaging, respectful and happy to be of service. They honestly love their work and their product. Stop by and give it a try!

PS: I'm doing this simply because I'm impressed with these fine young entrepreneurs. They give me hope for the future. I get nothing in return and I want nothing in return. 

New Lifestyle Brand Arrives At Cherry Hill Mall

Miniso.

Ever heard of it? You have now. It's pronounced just as it seems: mineeso. 

It's a Japanese inspired lifestyle store where everything is $10 and under. The first one on the east coast has opened at the Cherry Hill Mall and it's bright, colorful and whimsical. You'll find stuffed toys and other treats for kids but also practical, well-designed items for all ages including everyday items such as silverware, yoga mats, hair brushes and even some packaged foods -- all very nicely arranged in a sort of minimalist atmosphere. Many items are unique and all are well designed.

You can find Miniso on the lower level of the mall's Penney's wing just across from Build-A-Bear. You're likely to discover things that will intrigue and surprise you. Check it out.

When Exotic Birds Made Their Home In Cherry Hill

Yes, it's true. Though it would hardly qualify as tropical (or even semi-tropical) Cherry Hill was once the home of a wide variety of vividly colorful exotic birds. And people came from far and near to delight in the birds' daily activities.

South Jersey's Cherry Hill Mall has remained a premiere shopping destination for nearly 60 years -- so much so that's it's not only iconic but has also survived the demise of countless other indoor shopping meccas throughout the country. When it opened in 1961 as the first mall east of the Mississippi it was a unique attraction and not just because it boasted a year round spring-like indoor climate. It also featured numerous water fountains,  live tropical greenery and a towering aviary where exotic birds cavorted with seeming abandon. But as you can see, the birds didn't get very far as they were domiciled in a modernesque 20-foot high cage.

This  aviary stood just outside the sprawling S. S. Kresge store, a sort of discount forerunner of K Mart. Today, this would be the area between the mall's center court and JC Penney. People came from far and near to see the birds and to be part of the mall's lush environment. They were attracted by a radio advertisement jingle that went like this:

On the mall, on the mall

On the Cherry Hill Mall

It's spring in the summer, winter and fall.

You can shop, you can stroll

Where the weather is grand

At Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill

Your new spring wonderland!

What happened to the aviary and the birds? The same thing that happened to nearly all of the stores that were there when the mall opened. They're gone. They've been replaced by other, newer stores that meet the demand of today's market 

Times changed and the mall had to change to keep pace. Bottom line pressures, competition and the proliferation of other attractions as well as changing tastes forced the mall to cede more space to retail and give up some of its more "exotic" elements. Safety and sanitary considerations likely played a role in the aviary's demise as well. Nowadays, the very notion of caged birds (however capacious or unusual the cage may be) strikes a discordant note. 

That's not to say you still won't find some birds in the Cherry Hill Mall from time to time. But they're just the commonplace wrens and the like that wandered in from outside. Enjoy!

About As Sleek And Dazzling As You Can Imagine!

 A new Apple store has opened at the Cherry Hill (NJ) Mall and it is a knockout.

The store is so sleek, so spacious, so well-designed and creates such an open, inviting feeling that you'll want to spend all your time there. With 20-foot ceilings, window walls, an outdoor entrance, a giant TV screen that's bigger than most billboards and its own lush courtyard, it's one of the largest Apple stores on the east coast and certainly the undisputed flagship store for this region. For the mall, it's a real prize!

Cherry Hill's Apple team members played a big role not only in designing the store but also in installing a lot of its key elements and they seem to have thought of everything. Cindy (one of the store's "creatives") showed me around and she pointed out just some of the stores unique features:

• The front windows facing the mall interior double as huge doors that seemingly disappear as they pivot vertically.
• There are no wires hanging from under the natural wood parsons display tables because the wiring is all built into the table legs. In fact you'll see no wires anywhere.
• The walls are made of a finely crushed natural material that absorbs moisture and keeps humidity to a minimum.
• All lighting and cameras are built-in, flush to the ceiling.
• The Genius Bar is gone. In its place you'll find an intimate consult and repair center in a quieter portion of the store specifically designed for consultation.
• Storage is built in throughout to fit the products featured on the continuous side walls. Drawers are flush to the wall.
• Floor mats at the outside entrance are actually part of a system that drains water and debris from your footwear as your enter.
• Product presentation, displays, lighting, etc. can change seasonally throughout so the store itself acts as one unified, ever-changing advertisement for the brand and its products.
• The giant screen will be used for live classes. The opposite side of the screen looks like a mirror but is actually highly polished steel.
• Ceiling lines, doors, floor lines and table placement coincide top to bottom throughout so that the store is perfectly aligned.  It's one continuous visual feast!

There's really so much more. But you really have to see the place to believe it (we say as we write this on our beloved Apple MacBookPro). So, with much thanks to Cindy, here it is:

Photos copyright 2020 by Dan Cirucci.

Cherry Hill's Five Keys To Success . . .

How did Cherry Hill become the veritable capital of South Jersey?
Well, over the course of five decades it grew at such an accelerated pace that its emergence, as breathtaking as it was, seemed almost inevitable. But it wasn't just an accident or coincidence. Critical factors propelled it to its rapid and undisputed prominence. And, if you step back, you will find five keys to its phenomenal success:

1) Location, location, location.
That familiar real estate adage holds true once again. Cherry Hill's strategic location in the shadow of Philadelphia and at the convergence of four major highways (Routes 38, 70, 295 and the NJ Turnpike) makes it a natural hot spot. Its compact 24 square miles place it just about eight miles from center city Philadelphia. This proximity has attracted more than 70,000 residents but the town still has a remarkably low population density.

2) The name itself.
Changing the town's name to "Cherry Hill" in 1961 acted as a magic wand. There was no significant hill of note and cherries were nowhere in evidence, but it didn't matter. The name was easily recognizable and conjured up visions of a gracious, luxury inn and one of the nation's first indoor shopping malls. People wanted a Cherry Hill address and the town soon became nationally known.

3) The schools.
From the start, Cherry Hill gained a reputation for a top-notch education system and great schools. The schools were new and up-to-the-minute and the town attracted the best teachers and administrators.  People moved to Cherry Hill for the schools and felt the fine school system added to the value of their homes. The residents supported education excellence and approved expansion of the school system to maintain this important selling point.

4) The civic associations.
From the start, a network of neighborhood civic associations brought the town a sense of awareness and civic pride that helped it navigate through tumultuous periods of growth. These very active associations produced a wide assortment of neighborhood-centered activists, some of who became government leaders themselves while others remained vital watchdogs and gadflies. In the process, Cherry Hill's patchwork quilt of housing development became real neighborhoods that built a sense of community.

5) A welcoming spirit.
When nearly everyone is new there are few preconceptions and an open-door spirit more readily takes hold. Consequently, unlike more settled nearby suburban towns, Cherry Hill was remarkably welcoming to newcomers from the get-go. And its emergence dovetailed with the enactment of state and federal legislation that prohibited housing discrimination in any event. Today, Cherry Hill is one of South Jersey's most diverse communities providing housing for nearly every income level and serving as home to an increasingly multi-racial, multi-cultural citizenry.

Cherry Hill has long since lost its luster of newness and the name may not convey the magic it once did. The Cherry Hill Inn is gone and indoor shopping malls are facing a challenging environment. Also, globalization and social media may have actually diluted home rule and a sense of neighborhood identity. Beyond all that, honest civic engagement and a spirit of healthy dissent are harder to come by amidst entrenched one-party rule.
But the town's premiere assets are still intact: an aware, intelligent citizenry; an ideal location; good schools; a largely accepting, welcoming spirit and a nice balance of housing, commerce and open space with every convenience imaginable. These are advantages to treasure and nurture!

Cherry Hill's Four Greatest Mayors - Plus One

In photo above, from left: Cherry Hill Mayor John Holden, NJ Assemblyman Thomas Shusted, State Senator Lee Laskin, New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, Cherry Hill Mayor and Assemblyman John Rocco and Cherry Hill Councilman Howard Gall (who also served as Mayor for a time) at the Cherry Blossom Parade on Chapel Avenue in the 1980s.

From the time Delaware Township changed its name to Cherry Hill in 1961 till now, quite a few mayors have come and gone.
Some served under the old weak mayor form of government where the mayor was chosen from among a five-member governing body. Others served under the present strong mayor system where the mayor is duly elected to that specific office and seven other individuals are elected to township council. Some even served under the old system during a period when members of the governing body rotated the mayor's office among themselves with each member serving for a year.
Regardless or how or when they served, here, in chronological order are our choices for the four greatest mayors in the modern history of Cherry Hill, plus one.

1)  Mayor John T. Holden
Mayor Holden served from 1971 till 1975. He swept into office on a Democrat-backed bipartisan slate that ended 20 years of solid GOP rule. These were truly boom-boom years for Cherry Hill -- a period of rapid growth and development virtually unprecedented in the Philadelphia region. During this time, Holden governed with good cheer and tireless dedication. He single-handily put Cherry Hill on the map, leading a drive to change road signs, federal government designations, post office protocols, census rules and road maps so that Cherry Hill became its own clear, easy-to-identify and find community with clear boundaries. The change benefitted other townships throughout the state and nation. Holden's administration also saved a record number of acres from development, (preserving needed open space) and built countless playgrounds and tennis courts. He worked hard to professionalize government operations and the growing township government staff.

2) Mayor John A. Rocco

John Rocco was a high achiever from the get-go. At 28, Dr. Rocco became the youngest school principal in Cherry Hill history. He quickly established a name for himself as a beloved, innovative educator. Coaxed into running for town council in 1975, he led his ticket to a resounding victory and was chosen as mayor, again at a relatively young age. Presiding over Cherry Hill during the fire that devastated Garden State Park, he led the town during a time of continued growth and upheaval. John Rocco's appeal knew no party boundaries. Running as a Republican in a Democrat region was no barrier to him because his sensible, practical approach to problems and issues won him the votes of independents and Democrats alike. A former collegiate soccer star, Rocco was a team-builder and bridge-builder and these qualities seemed to come natural to him. He quickly built a hugely effective political organization and went on to be elected to the New Jersey State Assembly where he became a respected, nationally-recognized leader.

3) Mayor Susan Bass Levin

In the modern history of Cherry Hill, no one has served longer as mayor than Susan Bass Levin and few have been as successful in more endeavors than this accomplished attorney and savvy politician. She served as mayor from 1988 till 2002 as her Levin Team scored one impressive victory after another. She was unquestionably the driving force behind the construction of the state-of-the-art Cherry Hill Library ("The Heat of Town") and built legendary ties to Cherry Hill's vital network of civic associations and community groups. Levin was gutsy, raising taxes when she deemed it necessary and reaching across partisan boundaries to cultivate allies no matter their politics. She later served as First Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ). A Democrat, Levin also was Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), serving in the cabinets of Governors Jim McGreevey, Dick Codey, and Jon Corzine beginning in 2002. She went on to join Cooper Health System as President and CEO of the Cooper Foundation. In a word, formidable!

4) Mayor Bernie Platt

Bernie Plat served a mayor for a year in the late 1970s under the rotating mayor arrangement. But he didn't really flex his muscles until 2002 when he was elected mayor in his own right and went on to serve for nine years in the job, retiring at age 77. Few people knew more Cherry Hill residents by their first name than this amiable local funeral director. A shrewd business owner and dedicated family man, Bernie poured his heart and soul into the mayor's job and it was clear he loved every minute of it. As mayor he presided over a period that saw the transformation of the Garden State Park area into a thriving mixed-use development attracting top name retailers and high-end condos, apartments and townhouses. He also worked with Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (owners of the Cherry Hill Mall) to bring about a multi-million dollar renaissance that redefined the mall and attracted Nordstrom and top brand eateries to Cherry Hill. It was actually quite breathtaking and it saved the town's lucrative "golden triangle." Still, through it all, Bernie remained the same folksy, genial personality he always was --  with a willingness to play hardball when it came to putting his hometown first.

Plus one: Deputy Mayor Fran Burnstein

Frances Kirsenhbaum Burnstein. That was her full name. You don't hear her very much about her anymore. But she was a trailblazer and one of the first women ever elected to township council, serving as deputy mayor under Mayor John Rocco. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she moved from Long Island to Cherry Hill with her family in 1963 and proceeded to get involved in the life of the community. She fought hard to eliminate the troublesome old traffic circles at the race track and Ellisberg intersections. When she couldn't get the state to move quickly enough to at least reconfigure the race track circle, she put together a band of volunteers to clean it up and plant tulips and shrubs in the middle of the monstrosity.  Her efforts were written up in the New York Times. Later, when the circle was eliminated, she sold off commemorative pieces of it to raise money for the Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce, which she founded. Fran Burnstein was a dynamo. Under her leadership, in less than a decade, the chamber had its own office and was a stalwart advocate for its more than 1,000 business members. A Republican, Burnstein later crossed party lines to endorse Bernie Platt when he ran for mayor in 2002. 

What did these five have in common?

They all put Cherry Hill first; they all sought common ground when tackling big issues; they all viewed themselves as problem-solvers; they all kept close ties to the community and grassroots influencers; they all kept a keen focus on the Big Picture; they all knew and understood every nook and cranny of the town and they were all willing to toss partisanship aside to get something done. And one more thing: as far as I could tell they were all quite open and above board. They were no mere placeholders, that's for sure!

Boy, could we use some of their qualities right now!

The Six People Who Invented Cherry Hill

Garden State Park in its heyday.

The modern history of Cherry Hill has its share of characters: the family that built an elegant "country house" restaurant; the man who presided over an inn with a 14-karat-gold roof; the lady who presented Hawaiian-themed fashion shows at a "cottage" that featured a giant pineapple gift shop.*
Yes, Cherry Hill was always a bit different -- even somewhat racy. Just over the bridge from Philadelphia, it was often a place where Pennsylvanians came to misbehave.
But until 1962, even with some faux exotic attractions, it was still somewhat sleepy, semi-rural Delaware Township. You could say that changing the township's name to Cherry Hill in '62 proved to be almost magical. But the name itself was driven by other factors, all connected to six men who saw a chance to make a buck. Because, right from the start, the very idea of Cherry Hill was driven by seductive dreams of riches. Here then are the six businessmen who invented Cherry Hill:

1) Eugene Mori
Eugene Mori was an entrepreneur from Vineland who built Garden State Park (a renowned thoroughbred race track) along with the Cherry Hill Inn and Cherry Hill Lodge. Mori is largely credited with coming up with the name "Cherry Hill" though many trace the origins to Cherry Hill Farm -- the land on which Mori built the Inn. Garden State Park opened on July 7, 1942 after delays caused by raw material rationing at the United States' entry into World War II. Due to the seizure of 30,000 tons of structural steel by war authorities, developer Mori mostly constructed Garden State Park's ornate Georgian-style grandstand of wood. Limited amounts of steel came from the demolition of New York City's elevated railways. Despite this inauspicious start, "the Garden," as it was known was off to a lucrative start and remained a success until it burned down in 1977 (too much wood, not enough steel). The sprawling, elegant Inn and the Lodge were built to accommodate the many visitors to the track which hosted legendary, winning thoroughbreds such as Whirlaway, Citation and Secretariat. Today, Garden State Park is a sprawling mixed-use development including stores, restaurants, condos, apartments and town homes.

2) Dave Dushoff
Though he was co-owner (with Dallas Gerson) of the Latin Casino, a Vegas-style dinner-theater, Dushoff was really the visionary behind the whole, glittering 1,500-seat facility which sat across from the race track on Route 70. And no, there was no gambling at this three million dollar "casino." The "Showplace of the Stars") which opened in 1960 played host to top entertainers including Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Durante, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Richard Pryor, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, and Joey Bishop. Frank Sinatra appeared at "The Latin" so often that during his stints the marquee simply announced "He's Here." Dushoff also owned the western-themed Chuckwagon restaurant just down the road from The Latin and hosted headliners in a cushy private ranch house on The Latin's property. But the Latin Casino was done in by the arrival of real casinos in Atlantic City, and it closed in 1978. The site later became the headquarters of Subaru of America, which recently moved to Camden. The land is now vacant.

3) Bob Scarborough
Having flown B-17 bomber aircraft in WWII, Bob Scarborough returned home to Collingswood with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to build houses to meet the huge post war demand. He built his own home in Collingswood which he lived in all his life.  His first business took the form of home additions and small single family houses in the vicinity of Collingswood and Haddonfield. Soon, Scarborough garnered a following and a reputation for building houses of exceptional quality with traditional colonial features. He regularly travelled to New England for architectural inspiration. By the early 1950’s, business was brisk and Bob started Scarborough Corporation which was developing more than 28 homes per year. Larger planned developments and subdivisions came soon thereafter, most notably Barclay Farm in Cherry Hill, which became the town's premier community connected  the east and west ends of Cherry Hill via a distinctive covered bridge. Wexford Leas and King's Croft followed later.. To control costs and to insure quality Scarborough began to integrate vertically the different trades involved in the construction process. Scarborough's homes came to define Cherry Hill as an exceptional residential community and they are still considered prized processions.

4) James W. Rouse

Rouse, of Maryland was one of the founders of the Rouse Company which built and for a time owned the Cherry Hill Mall. Rouse was a pioneering American real estate developer, urban planner, civic activist, and later, free enterprise-based philanthropist. More than anyone else, he was the man who conceived the idea of indoor suburban shopping malls as town centers where people could shop, stroll and dine in a sort of semi-tropical atmosphere. When it opened in 1961, the Cherry Hill Mall was the first indoor shopping mall east of the Mississippi and people came from everywhere to experience it. It wa, quite literally a sensation. In fact, it was not uncommon for people to spend two or three days in Cherry Hill staying at the Cherry Hill Inn or Lodge, dining and taking in a show at the Latin Casino, betting on horses at Garden State Park and shopping at the Mall. From the outset, Rouse was able to attract top-name retailers to the Mall including Strawbridge's and Bambergers's (later Macy's) along with more mainstream American brands such as Woolworth's and Florsheim. The opening of the Mall gave Cherry Hill an immediate luster and made it the envy of many other towns.

5, 6) Mike and Nick Fifis

In the early 1960's Mike and Nick Fifis came from Flemington New Jersey to settle in the South Jersey area where they took over ownership of Ponzios Brooklawn Diner. But the big move came in 1964 when they purchased the Ellisburg Diner on Route 70 and renamed it Ponizio's Cherry Hill. This aptly-located eatery (near the center of Cherry Hill at what was then the Ellisburg Circle) became an immediate hit and emerged as the quintessential New Jersey Diner. Over the years the restaurant has gone through a few different family members as well as its fair share of renovations. 1979 saw a major expansion and new elements were added again in 1984 with the addition of a bar room. Along the way, Ponzio's became the favorite meeting place (especially for breakfast) of business people, politicians and a wide variety of movers and shakers. Over the years, Ponzio's has employed more than 10,000 individuals and served countless meals. It's such an iconic part of town that when the Ellisburg Circle was eliminated and traffic was reconfigured in 1992, the town fathers insisted that Ponzio's remain intact with ingress and egress undisturbed. It's sort of the Times Square of Cherry Hill.

So, what was it that made Cherry Hill?

Vision, imagination, determination and a prime location all played a vital part.

But in the end, the bottom line was the bottom line. Indeed, it was money that made the Cherry Hill miracle -- lots of wisely invested money running after even more money.

*All stories that will have to wait for another chapter.

Why I'm Worried About The Cherry Hill Mall

I'm worried.
Very worried.
I'm worried about shopping malls -- particularly the Cherry Hill Mall which was the first shopping mall of its kind to open east of the Mississippi in 1961.
Now, you may ask why I'm worried about malls. Malls are over, finished, caput you may argue. In the age of big box stores, lifestyle centers and, most of all, Amazon, you may see malls as dinosaurs. And, sadly some of them probably are.
But many of those that are still around have lots to offer. And they remain not just eminently viable but vital.
The Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey (just across the river from Philadelphia) is one of them. Just as it did when it first opened, the mall still has three anchor department stores and boasts more than one million square feet and more than 100 stores and services. And the mall has kept pace with all of the changes that have taken place since its trailblazing opening six decades ago.
Expansions and renovations came in 1973, 1977 and 1997. But the most dramatic change occurred from the period of 2007 to 2009 when the mall underwent a massive $220 million renovation -- an investment seven times its original cost. The transformation saw 228,000 sq ft. of new retail added as a visionary team of architects created the mall’s gleaming new design. This brought a new Grand Court featuring 140,000 sq ft. of new retail, along with a new 138,000 sq ft. Nordstrom anchor store which opened on March 27, 2009.
Additionally, the mall added several exterior-facing restaurants in a new section known as Bistro Row. A large-scale entrance to an H&M store to the frontage of Route 38 was also added, while the food court was moved to the JCPenney wing, in a much smaller configuration than the mall's original food court but now featuring many eateries. The mall also added The Container Store and Crate & Barrel as outparcel retailers outside the mall's parking lot. Additionally, a three-story parking garage was constructed, while the whole mall was gutted for a clean contemporary marble-and-wood color scheme that included soft chair seating areas with sofas and cell phone ports.
The new changes created a new tenant mix similar to King of Prussia. The mall today consists of many upscale stores in a newly renovated interior and exterior and a revitalizing theme running throughout the center.

Most recently, the mall has substantially weathered the decline of brick and mortar retail as major names faced tough economic times. The mall shifted emphasis, making room for innovative space allotment with 1776, a new workspace center, and more special events and lifestyle, health and wellness expos along with unique seasonal attractions for children and young families. And the mall is expanding again with a spacious new Apple flagship store being built adjacent to one of its main entrances.

Of course, all this was underway before the coronavirus.

And now, COVID has changed everything!

The mall has been closed since March 18. That's more than 50 long days. Yes, a few stores and restaurants are offering curbside pickup but the mall is essentially shuttered.

The mall has always been Cherry Hill's Main Street. Now, Main Street is sealed, closed, cordoned off. And its parking lot is barren, empty. And inasmuch as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has extended the quarantine yet again and announced no definitive "opening" date, there really is no end in sight.
The Cherry Hill Mall is the crown jewel of South Jersey's commercial and economic hub. In fact, the mall is largely credited with giving Cherry Hill its name since the mall and the nearby Cherry Hill Inn made that monicker famous before what was Delaware Township formally assumed the name Cherry Hill in 1962.
The mall has sustained economic downturns before. But what it's facing now seems like a perfect storm. There's no telling when people will be comfortable visiting real, live stores and restaurants again or how that will work when the opportunity presents itself.
And, even before the COVID pandemic big retailers were facing problems. Now, the mall's three anchor department stores are all adrift in a sea of red ink. Both Macy's and Penney's have closed countless outlets. Penney's is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and Macy's hardly seems far behind. On top of that, Nordstrom, once viewed as the most lustrous and solvent of all such chains, just announced plans to permanently close 16 stores. Though all three of the Cherry Hill department stores have thus far been spared the axe, the Nordstrom announcement sent shock waves through the industry.
The mall's owner, PREIT (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust) has seen its stock price decline by more than 75 percent since the beginning of the year, recently  trading below $1. PREIT is now seeking federal emergency funds and has said it may also request tax relief from municipalities where its malls are located. Its nearby Moorestown Mall has been nearly emaciated with the closing of Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears.
Make no mistake about it: if the Cherry Hill Mall goes under, you can forget about Cherry Hill as we know it. Not only that but a major economic generator for South Jersey and the state will be gone. The jobs and tax dollars that the mall generates (in terms of property taxes, sales tax, income tax, etc) are nothing less than astronomical. A blighted mall at South Jersey's crossroads would be more than an eyesore, it would be a disaster of mammoth proportions.
In every season, the mall is a gathering place where people come to see and be seen. It's a place where people from all walks of life converge to stroll, shop, dine, gaze and simply experience an ever-changing showcase of food, services and merchandise. Cherry Hill without the Cherry Hill Mall is simply unimaginable.
That's why Cherry Hill's mayor and town council must act now to help ensure the survival of not just the mall but the entire business community that acts as a linchpin for the region. If a task force has not already been appointed to chart the post-COVID recovery it needs to be appointed now and it needs to tap the area's top economic minds and visionaries to put imagination and wise planning to use to get things rolling again. Indeed, a broad-based team must be assembled and the town must be prepared to make necessary accommodations to the mall and other enterprises. At the same time,  county, state and federal reps must take the laboring all for what must be a high priority.
To be sure, the mall must do its part as well and recognize the vital role that it plays. In fact, even if the stores aren't operating, the mall itself needs to be reopened as soon as possible so that people can walk through it once again and perhaps order takeout from the food court or restaurants that are not yet operating. At the very least, it would be a way of beginning to invite people back into a place that has come to define what we call a critical mass.
Every day that the mall is shuttered is another day that people are out of work; another day without quick, reliable and appealing access to a wide variety of goods and services; another day without some sort of real-life interaction with real people and another day closer to economic devastation.
We cannot go on like this. We must turn the key and begin to unlock the doors to the mall and all such economic and social interaction.
The hour is late. The stake are high. The need is paramount!

When Stars Twinkled Nightly Atop Cherry's Hill

Once upon a time there was a dream world that overlooked cherry blossoms at the top of what passed for a hill in South Jersey.

At night, this magical place came alive with melodious tunes, fine food and the iridescent twinkle of thousands of tiny lights. It all happened at a time when people actually dated; when there was something called romance; when song lyrics boasted of "starry eyed" moments and dining and dancing were going steady. The dining was leisurely, the dancing was graceful and the music was heavenly.

The Starlight Room with its brightly lit ceiling and distinctive zebra rug.

This was the Starlight Room at the Cherry Hill Inn. Nearby, one could find Cinelli's, Henry's, Sans Souci and the Rickshaw Inn. But the Cherry Hill Inn and its Starlight Room stood out atop all the rest. In fact, the Inn was so synonymous with the town that many people credited it with giving the town its name.

The Cherry Hill Inn was built and opened in 1954 by businessman Eugene Mori who also owned Garden State Park race course. The hotel, restaurant and nightclub received its name because it was located on the site of Abraham Brown's Cherry Hill Farm, dating back to a time when Delaware Township (the predecessor to Cherry Hill) was largely rural. When the Inn opened, there wasn't very much in the way of buildings or businesses between the Inn and Garden State Park. And when you looked out from the front of the Inn, there was no Cherry Hill Mall. Instead, you simply saw empty land and Haddonfield Road leading from Route 130 (or thereabouts) to Haddonfield.

Inside, the Cherry Hill Inn had the flavor of a British country lodge. It was all very proper and incorporated an equestrian theme that also featured a collection of jockey statuettes that welcomed you in colorful attire. If you were running your horses at Garden State Park or participating in the track's daily activities during the racing season, this was the place to stay. And even if you weren't lodging there, this was still the place to see and be seen. Of course, you didn't enter or leave the Cherry Hill Inn unless you were properly attired. And you didn't go to the spa, pool or workout room without a coverup of some sort.

Into the 1960s and 70s, the Cherry Hill Inn continued to thrive, especially after a massive expansion in 1962 that added two wings to the property including spacious banquet and meetings facilities and the Starlight Room. Even a three-alarm fire in 1978 failed to dim the Inn's storied luster. On New Year's Eve, for example, it was impossible to get a reservation at the Inn and everyone wanted to be in the Starlight Room which featured dinner, champagne and a New York style floor show.

In 1985, the Inn undertook a $4 million restoration program. But the booming '80s brought new competition not just in Cherry Hill and other nearby suburbs but also from Atlantic City where big, flashy casino hotels popped up like sandcastles. As the instant gratification of legalized gambling took hold in New Jersey, the allure of betting on thoroughbreds waned. Why wait around for a horse race when you could try your luck at a slop machine?

The Cherry Hill Inn evoked the slow pace of a lazy afternoon, the enjoyment of a succulent Sunday buffet, the welcoming of spring blossoms and the sheer fun of dressing up. Plus, it had the room with the twinkling lights -- the closest thing you would ever find to the Rainbow Room, the legendary haunt of the elite high atop Rockefeller Center.

But as the Beatles once declared in 1969 "All Things Must Pass". The Inn closed in 1992 and was eventually left to deteriorate to the point where it became an unsafe haven for homeless people. Finally, it was demolished to make way for a multiples cinema and a TGIFriday's.

But if you gaze up past the nightly congestion of current day Route 38, you may still see some of those twinkling lights or detect the faint scent of Chanel No5 or English Leather. 

TRUE! - The Day The Monkeys Took Over The Mall

When indoor shopping malls first opened they attempted to attract customers by trading on exotic themes.
They featured real tropical trees and plants, fountains and even live animals.
The Cherry Hill Mall (the first enclosed shopping mall east of the Mississippi) boasted tropical birds in an aviary. Just down the road, the Moorestown Mall featured ducks in its indoor pond and a large monkey cage in its center court.
The monkeys were reportedly Gibbon apes and they were very frisky and could get nasty at times. They swung from parts of the cage, scurried, jumped wildly, made ear-piercing, shreeking sounds and occasionally fought one another.
Their feeding hour was a popular attraction -- just like at the zoo.
For the most part, the monkeys did their thing and the shoppers did theirs.
But that all came to an end sometime in the early 1970s when the monkeys escaped from the cage, setting off a panic at this star-crossed mall, which was always in the shadow of its Cherry Hill neighbor. Several people were reportedly bitten in the monkey free-for-all and that was the end of the monkeys at the mall.
The ducks survived for awhile longer but eventually they disappeared also as the mall eliminated water features and replaced them with those shopping kiosks that now dot the center aisle of most malls.

Click here to see lots more from The Dan Cirucci Blog!

When Exotic Birds Called Cherry Hill 'Home'

The Cherry Hill Mall opened on October 11, 1961.
Can you see the S. S. Kresgee store there in red lights? Kresgee was the predecessor of K Mart.
Anyway, in front of the store you can see the huge modernistic birdcage. It's very 1960s.
And the cage contained colorful (and sometimes loud) exotic birds
The mall was the first enclosed shopping center of its kind east of the Mississippi and when it opened it envisioned itself as a kind of tropical paradise.
So, all of the plants that you see in this 60's photo were real.
And the birds? Well, they were very real.
In fact, beyond the shrill noises they made there were reports that they weren't always very nice. Whether they may have been able to peck at a few onlookers, I'm not sure. But some people said the birds were downright nasty.
And the cage and the birds required their share of attention.
The birds had to be fed and things could get messy inside that cage.
When the mall was updated (after a number of years) the huge cage was dismantled and the birds were removed. I'm not quite sure where they went but they disappeared.
If you're old enough to remember the birdcage -- well, let's just say you're older than the Jonas Brothers; older than Lady Gaga; older than Ashton Kutcher and maybe even older than Madonna. 
But we won't dwell on that.

Click here to see lots more from the Dan Cirucci Blog!

Hey, Wanna Meet THIS Guy? Get There EARLY!

This Saturday at the Cherry Hill Mall!

Centria Autism Services Presents 

Health & Wellness Expo with Dr. Oz!

 Sponsored by: The Sun Newspapers, Jefferson Health New Jersey, and Horizon Connect of New Jersey 

 Saturday, August 25th

11am-4pm - Cherry Hill Mall - Route 38, Cherry Hill NJ

 Dr. Oz Appearance

12 pm-1:30 pm

Dr. Oz will host a panel with Jefferson Health. 

Plus, come join Dr. Oz on a tour of “The Good Life.” He’ll help you find what you really want in your quest for happiness, health, and personal growth. How do you cope with the imperfections of life? What holds you back from the change that you want to see in yourself? Through a visual journey of video clips and animations, Dr. Oz brings alive a message of hope that will entertain as well as inform so you can sleep better, cope better, and achieve the body you’ve always wanted.

The event is free and open to the public, but seats at the Grand Court Stage for Dr. Oz are going to be in high demand. Mall Doors will open at 7:00 a.m. Seating is first come first serve. 

 Dr. Oz takes the stage at noon; guests should be prepared to wait. When he does take the stage, he’ll discuss hot health topics and recent breakthroughs, and host a panel discussion with our key sponsors.

Panel disccusion with Dr. Greg Taylor and 
Dr.Kahyun Yoon-Flannery of Jefferson Health. 

Vendor Showcase

11 am-4 pm

Local experts, such as doctors, dentists, and surgeons will be on-hand to answer all of your health and wellness questions. Lifestyle experts will also be on hand to answer your pressing questions about banking, insurance, and more!

Vendor Showcase includes:

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Dentistry for Special People

Sleep Number Cherry Hill Mall

Corrado Center for Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 

Bella Tre Body Sculpting

Attendees will also enjoy stage presentations throughout the day from our key sponsors and vendors.

Delicious, With A Specially-Priced Menu NOW!

CEDAR PLANK-ROASTED SALMON Now at seasons 52! The reason we roast our salmon on a cedar plank? To give it a slightly smoky taste and an incredibly tender texture. Enjoy this favorite with bright seasonal vegetables, featured on our $29.90 three-course Hello Spring menu right now at Seasons 52. PLAN A VISIT Hello Spring ends Thursday, May 10.

Malls, Stores, Attractions: Open Or Closed?

Here's the list so far:

MALLS

Gloucester Premium Outlets - closed today

Philadelphia Premium Outlets - delayed opening; opening at 1 p.m. today

King of Prussia Mall - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

Cherry Hill Mall - open, though stores may set their own operating hours

Springfield Mall (Pa.) - open, though stores may set their own operating hours

Christiana Mall - open

Montgomery Mall - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

Lehigh Valley Mall - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

Quaker Bridge Mall - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

Philadelphia Mills - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

The Crossings Premium Outlets - currently operating under normal business hours (opening at 10 a.m.)

TOURIST SPOTS, ETC.

Philadelphia Museum of Art - closing at noon

National Constituion Center - closing at noon

Philadelphia Zoo - closed

Please Touch Museum - closed

Adventure Aquarium - closed, will reopen at 10 a.m. Friday

Betsy Ross House - closed, reopening at 10 a.m. Friday

Independence Seaport Museum and the historic ships - closed

Museum of the American Revolution - closed

COURTS, LEGAL

Philadelphia Courts - closed at noon

Philadelphia Bar Association - closed Tonight's Chancellor reception is postponed to Tuesday, January 16, Hyatt at the Bellevue Crand Ballroom, 5 to 7 pm.

TRANSIT

AMTRAK: Several changes to service, including reduced frequency of Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains. Click here for all changes.

SEPTA: Normal schedule, though some buses and trains may be delayed or canceled due to weather and traffic conditions.

PATCO: Snow schedule in effect.

DART: Sussex Co. bus service not operating. Other service in operation, though there may be delays.